Hotan

The oasis of Hotan is a county-level city lying in the Tarim Basin, just six miles south of the Taklamakan Desert. It is the seat of Hotan Prefecture in southwestern region of Xinjiang.

Hotan, which was named Yutian in ancient times, means a place that produces jades. Historically, it was an important station on the southern branch of the historic Silk Road. For centuries, the area has been renowned for its famous nephrite jades, high quality carpets and silk weavings.